MORE than a million pensioners are victims of an epidemic of loneliness in Britain, figures have revealed.

Many say they feel isolated and have only the TV or a pet for company.

Campaigners warned yesterday that, despite high-profile attempts to raise public awareness, the number who feel lonely has soared by more than a third in a year.

It not only makes life miserable for older people, it is also really bad for their health, making them more vulnerable to illness and disease

Caroline Abrahams

Last year, the figure was 770,000 for over-65s but it has now climbed to more than a million.

Experts also point to a link between loneliness and ill health, from dementia to high blood pressure. The figures were revealed in a report by Age UK.

The charity’s Caroline Abrahams said: “We know how devastating lone- liness can be. It not only makes life miserable for older people, it is also really bad for their health, making them more vulnerable to illness and disease.”

Age UK is calling for help to tackle loneliness through a range of schemes, such as befriending.